Many things have happened in the last months. I want to share one that was painful but full of hope.

I was not among
those close to him, nor did I know him intimately. Yet I cried when I knew of
Don Samuel Ruiz death on the 24th of January. Yes, I cried.

Many persons
have written about his work, his conversion to the indigenous peoples and to a
contextual Gospel. Some has written about his pastoral rooted in the
preferential option for the poor, his mediation between the EZLN and the
government, his day to day commitment to defend human rights, to those he
served and his persistent voice in behalf of the rights of indigenous peoples. Don
Samuel worked in a holistic way and promoted a view of salvation within the
integrality of life.

Many might have remembered
that Samuel Ruiz was nominated twice for the Peace Nobel Price but wasn`t given
the award “supposedly” because he didn’t achieve under his mediation the
signing of peace between the EZLN and the Mexican government. Few know that the
Mexican government, Washington and the Vatican vetoed his nomination.[1]

Some might have remembered
the political harassment he received from Rome, when he dared to order
permanent married deacons, and even hinted the need to ordained married
indigenous priests. Some might have written of the murder attempts, of the conflicts
with San Cristobal elites outraged by his communion and friendship with
indigenous peoples. Some remembered the Mexican federal authorities’
accusations making him responsible for the deaths and the bloodshed of war.
Many are indeed delighted by his death.

I did not know Don
Samuel closely. Yet, those times that we shared the same space, I was moved not
only by his words but especially by his eyes and smile, which were tender,
quiet and serene. I thought I saw in his eyes the spark of his renowned intelligence
and perseverance even when I also perceived his weariness and fatigue.

Living in San
Cristobal for almost six years now, we got to see the fruits of Don Samuel’s
work. We have shared bible studies and food with indigenous deacons he
ordained. We heard the testimonies of peace work of indigenous catechist he
taught. We were moved and amazed at the clarity and discernment they showed us
speaking about a Gospel in “huaraches,” & an evangelization sensitive to
the culture. They know about world & national politics, economy, poverty
and oppression. They know about a God who gives them strength to fight for
their rights in non violent ways. We were moved at the resilience of their
ancestral wisdom and at the strong commitment to serve. “We learned from Tatik
Samuel,” they told us.

Even though his
work with his deep understanding of an indigenous “incarnated” gospel, clear on
the powers that are stripping the life of the indigenous peoples away didn’t
reach many Protestants and Evangelicals (given the history of suspicion &
intolerance with the Catholic church); he modeled a way of being Christian, of
seeking justice and peace. He modeled a way to restore dignity to those who
build the kingdom of God. These fruits no one can take from him.

So, I cried along my Catholics and non Catholics friends because
I understood his work as a work rooted in our common Christian faith, nurtured
by a yearning for peace, a work of love. If you believe that Jesus’ love
illuminates those who open their hearts to Him, then Tatik Samuel was a man who walked in Jesus’ way, not perfectly (no one is), but daring
to risk everything because he love.

Some people said
that we lose a prophet. I believe we gained a witness whose memory pushes us to
run with perseverance the race set before us.[2]
In the present turmoil of the world, Don Samuel's life tells me there is always a way for Hope. There is
always a way for Peace. There is always a way for the Spirit to be.